Japan

FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT JAPAN

CORAL WILSON In a little corner of Irvine Terrace Park in Corona del Mar, two stone lanterns and Japanese black pine trees are testimony to a special relationship and years of friendship between the cities of Newport Beach and Okazaki, Japan. On Sunday, two new benches were added to the tranquil setting, allowing for rest and contemplation for old friends and passer-bys. Placed side by side, they overlook the lanterns, the city and the ocean below.

Albert Henry Hollister November 30, 1919 - April 11, 2012 Joyce Lee Hollister June 7, 1920 - August 2, 2008 LtCol Al Hollister, USMCR was born in Pasadena, CA to parents John Isaac and Charlotte Hollister. The family moved to Ontario, CA during the 'great depression'. Joyce was born in Ontario to parents Verne and Tilla Lee. They met in high school and both graduated from Chaffey College in 1938. Al joined the Naval Aviation Cadet program, completing flight training at NAS Jacksonville and Miami, FL. After receiving his wings and a commission as a 2ndLt in the Marine Corps he proceeded to Ontario to marry Joyce on June 12, 1942, beginning a lifelong partnership lasting 66 years.

Jack Butefish August 17, 1932 to January 30, 2012 Jack Butefish passed away from Parkinson's Disease at Silverado Residence in Newport Beach California on Monday morning. Jack was raised by Clinton and Margaret Butefish who came to California from Kansas and were successful in the post WWII baby store business. Jack worked in their stores as a child and then, as his height soared to 6'7”, he excelled as an athlete at Inglewood High School. When he and his friends went down to the train station in LA to enlist in the Korean War, his height caused him to be sent home because “he couldn't fit into the uniforms and beds”.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Tish Venturini-Hoch was a member of the U.S. women's soccer team that won the first gold medal in the sport at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. She was also a member of the U.S. team that won the World Cup in 1999. She is a Costa Mesa resident. I must say congratulations to Japan on its first World Cup title and for an incredible tournament. The Japan team played with such skill, heart and class, and most importantly gave its country hope and something to cheer for in such tough times.

Tom Williams Regarding Joseph Bell's "Bell Curve" column April 22, titled "Not at all hot for war in Iraq:" As usual, our local liberal columnist claims to be confused. This time, Bell laments the recent musings of Col. David Hackworth (retired) and Gen. Anthony Zinni (also retired) about everything from: whether there was a threat from Iraq, whether the United States had the "moral authority" to attack Iraq, whether our soldiers (and presumably the U.S. public)

A tribute to Toru Takemitsu, Japan's celebrated 20th century composer, will be among the performances and concerts featured at JapanOC, a six-month festival coming to Costa Mesa in the fall that will celebrate the country's diversity, arts and culture. The festival's programming was revealed during a luncheon Wednesday at the Noguchi Garden at Pacific Arts Plaza in Costa Mesa and heralded by the clamor of drums in a Shishi Mai, or Japanese Lion Dance, performance. "We'll be featuring every kind of music, from sacred court compositions to classical and avant-garde," said Dean Corey, president and artistic director of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, which is presenting the festival on the West Coast.

UC Irvine's Claire Trevor School of the Arts on Friday raised $4,350 through a concert to benefit the Japan tsunami efforts. The school organized a one-night-only classical and jazz music concert to raise money for the American Red Cross' Japan earthquake and tsunami relief efforts. The concert was organized by alumna Shoko Fukumara with the help of fellow alumni, students and staff. Former and current students performed. Jazz pianist and Chancellor's Professor Kei Akagi did the featured performance.

A Newport Beach-based group is organizing a March 27 fundraiser to benefit victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Organizers said in a news release that they will donate 100% of the proceeds to the American Red Cross of Orange County's Japanese relief efforts from OC 4 Japan at the 8Eighty8 Night Club, 4647 MacArthur Blvd. From 7 to 11 p.m. Thrasher and DJ O.N.E. will provide live entertainment, while attendees can participate in a raffle and silent auction, the release said.

The Philharmonic Society of Orange County and New York's Carnegie Hall this fall will present JapanOC: a festival celebrating Japan's culture and arts at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa, according to a news release from the Philharmonic. The festival is the second in a partnership that began last year between Henry Segerstrom and Clive Gillinson, executive and artistic director of the Carnegie Hall. Working together, the philharmonic society, Segerstrom and Gillinson brought Ancient Paths, Modern Voices: A Festival Celebrating Chinese Culture to Orange County.